Description
Discover how to make delicious Cheesy Chicken And Spinach Stuffed Shells with this easy recipe. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner!
Ingredients
- 2 large bone-in chicken breasts (about 450g)
- 425g box uncooked jumbo pasta shells
- 480ml fresh spinach diced
- 1/2 small white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 240g ricotta cheese
- 225g cream cheese softened
- 50g shredded cheese (e.g., cheddar or mozzarella)
- 60ml mayonnaise
- 15g parsley flakes
- 5g Italian seasoning
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 200g shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- salt & pepper
- 740g jar spaghetti sauce (e.g., Tomato Basil)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Roast them for 30-35 minutes, or until fully cooked.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil, adding a few pinches of salt. Add the pasta shells.
- Cook the shells until they are just about al dente, approximately 12 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse with cold water.
- Arrange the pasta shells on a tray, picking out the intact ones. Set them aside.
- After the chicken is cooked, let it cool and then chop it into small pieces, measuring 2 cups. Set this aside.
- In a big bowl, combine the chopped chicken, spinach, onion, and garlic.
- In another bowl, mix together the ricotta, cream cheese, shredded cheese, and mayonnaise.
- Add the parsley flakes and Italian seasoning to this mixture.
- Blend in the slightly beaten egg.
- Gently incorporate 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Combine the cheese mixture with the chicken mixture, stirring until everything is well blended.
- Spread half of the spaghetti sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Fill the pasta shells with the chicken mixture and arrange them in the dish.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the middle of the shells.
- Cover the dish and bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes.
- Take it out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
- Pair with salad and breadsticks for a complete meal!
Notes
- Use fresh spinach for a vibrant taste and extra nutrients in the filling.
- Fully cook and finely chop the chicken for even distribution in the dish.
- Experiment with different shredded cheese varieties like cheddar or mozzarella for diverse flavors and textures.
